| Dear Mom, | | | | keep repeating yourself and do it over and over until |
| I try to leave my child and the minute I walk out of | | | | they are fine with you being in the next room. |
| the room, she starts crying or screaming for me. | | | | Stretch the time being gone. When dad or another |
| Please help this gone crazy mom of how I can help | | | | caregiver comes home, go and take a shower or |
| my baby let me leave her for just a little bit. I think | | | | soak in a nice bubble bath. Reassure the child you will |
| she has toddler separation anxiety but I just want to | | | | be back. Never sneak away from the child as this will |
| know how to overcome this. | | | | leave a bad coping skill with her and think you are |
| Thanks, | | | | never coming back. Give it 15 or 20 minutes and |
| Carol | | | | show your presence to the baby. Hug her and let her |
| Carol, | | | | know you missed her, but will always return when |
| It is normal for your baby to be going through what | | | | mommy goes. After you do this a few times and |
| they are going through. For nine months, they were | | | | she gets used to the ide of you being gone for that |
| attached to us 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We | | | | short amount of time, try going to the store for a |
| were their lifeline and they have to learn their | | | | longer period of time. You can continue to stretch |
| independence from us. Their whole mentality knows | | | | each trip until you feel comfortable with the time you |
| they are sensing this whole new freedom from mom, | | | | are being gone, for example if you are trying to build |
| but yet they have reservations about beginning new | | | | up to a night out of town with your signifcant other. |
| things. The mom can help teach them independence | | | | By taking things slowing, it will help you and your child |
| by taking baby steps and not trying to separate | | | | overcome toddler separation anxiety with much less |
| from them without building up the process. You may | | | | tears, heartbreak and stress. The baby will continue |
| ask, what steps can we take? | | | | to grow her independence from you and will soon |
| Start out small. Let them play in the living room as | | | | love her new found freedom of having playtime with |
| you go to the next room (room needs to be in eye | | | | dad, grandma or grandpa, or other special friend. |
| view) to do a certain task as folding clothes. Make | | | | Hang in there mom it will get better and know other |
| sure you are keeping eye contact with them and | | | | moms are going through the same thing as you right |
| reassuring that mom is right here. Speak in positive, | | | | now. |
| upbeat words. The first time may not work, but just | | | | |